Questions and Answers
Who is Moshe the Beadle?
The caretaker of the synagogue.
What does Wiesel tell the reader of Moshe?
He is poor and lived in penury; he was the only poor person people liked because he stayed out of the way; awkward and strange.
How does Wiesel describe himself as a boy of 12?
Observant, studied Talmud.
How does Wiesel describe his father?
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Why did Elie's father prohibit him from studying the Cabala?
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How did Wiesel realize his wish to study the Cabala?
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What happened to Moshe?
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Several months later, Elie saw Moshe the Beadle again. What story did Moshe tell?
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How was Moshe able to escape?
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How was Moshe changed as a result of his experience?
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How did other people in the village react to Moshe's story?
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Why did the villagers react the way they did to Moshe's story?
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What was the attitude of the Jews of Sighet?
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What literary device does Wiesel employ to emphasize the foolish optimism and denial of facts of the Jews living in Sighet?
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After the Germans arrived in Sighet, what was the prevailing attitude among the residents?
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After Passover, Wiesel says 'the curtain rose.' What does this refer to?
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What happened after Passover?
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What was bitterly ironic about the comments that Wiesel's father made regarding the wearing of the yellow star?
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What was the Germans' next step?
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How did the Jews react to this?
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The Germans had other plans for the Jews of Sighet, however. What were those plans?
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Where did they go?
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Despite all that happened, even after the Germans entered the capital of Budapest, Wiesel tells us that people still remained optimistic about their future. How can you explain this optimism?
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In this chapter, Wiesel uses images from nature. How does he use the sun?
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What does the imagery of night suggest?
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Given the fact that the title of this book is 'Night', what do you suppose a major theme in this work will be?
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A memoir is a story of one's life told by the person similar to an autobiography. Describe the tone of this memoir, and speculate on why Wiesel chooses to use this tone.
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Study Notes
Characters and Descriptions
- Moshe the Beadle: Caretaker of the synagogue, poor yet liked for his unobtrusiveness, described as awkward and strange.
- Elie Wiesel at age twelve: Observant boy who studied the Talmud.
- Wiesel’s father: A cultured, unsentimental man more engaged with others than with family.
Themes and Literary Devices
- Prohibition of studying the Cabala: Elie’s father believed he was too young and that it was dangerous.
- Irony: Used to highlight the contradictory optimism and denial of the Jews in Sighet regarding their situation.
- Imagery of nature: Descriptions include “under a blazing sun” and “the heat was oppressive,” signifying an oppressive atmosphere.
Events and Reactions
- Deportation of Moshe: Foreign Jews were expelled, and Moshe was taken away on a train.
- Moshe's warning: Upon return, he recounts witnessing atrocities by the Gestapo, but his warnings are met with disbelief.
- Jewish villagers’ response: Denial and outrage, unable to accept the reality of the horrors described.
Sociopolitical Context
- Attitude of Sighet's Jews: Initially optimistic, they were reassured by the Germans’ friendly demeanor.
- Post-Passover events: Germans began to arrest Jewish leaders and impose stricter controls.
- Wearing the yellow star: Initially dismissed as non-lethal by Wiesel's father, it became a deadly symbol of identification for Jews.
Transition to Oppression
- The establishment of ghettos: Jews were confined and concentrated, leading to a false sense of community.
- Transportation plans: Jews were moved from the ghettos to cattle cars, indicating the escalation of their plight.
- Persistence of Jewish optimism: Even as danger loomed, many clung to hope, reluctant to believe in their dire circumstances.
Symbolism and Themes
- Night as a metaphor: Represents a loss of hope and the persistent darkness of their experiences, suggesting a major theme of despair in the memoir.
- Tone of the memoir: Reflects the darkest moments of Wiesel's life, emphasizing the gravity of the historical events.
Conclusion
- The narrative carries a profound sense of loss, despair, and the struggle against the cruel reality of life during the Holocaust, laying the groundwork for the themes explored throughout the memoir.
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Description
Test your knowledge of Chapter 1 of Elie Wiesel's 'Night' with these flashcards. Focus on key characters like Moshe the Beadle and Wiesel's childhood reflections. Ideal for understanding the themes and character backgrounds in this poignant memoir.
